Sheheen ad claim on 4K refers to First Steps veto

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Sen. Vincent Sheheen’s latest TV ad criticizes Gov. Nikki Haley’s pre-election-year budget vetoes to public education and accuses her of vetoing 4-year-old kindergarten, though her campaign points out she actually signed legislation expanding the program.

Sheheen is referring to Haley’s veto this year of a bill reauthorizing First Steps, the agency tasked with boosting children’s chances for success. Its duties include overseeing private providers participating in the state’s full-day kindergarten program for at-risk 4-year-olds. Haley said the agency needed further review, but her veto never put 4K at risk.

Over the last two years, Sheheen has successfully pushed to expand 4K to more districts. Haley did not veto those budget items. In June, she signed the “Read to Succeed” bill that, at Democrats’ insistence, included eventually expanding the program statewide.